Which theory emphasizes cognitive processes and was associated with Piaget and Bandura, focusing on thinking and judging?

• A. Existential Theory
• B. Reality/Choice Theory
• C. Counseling Role
• D. Cognitive Theory

Answer: (D)

The emphasis is on cognitive processes—the way people think, interpret, and judge experiences. Piaget explored how thinking develops and operates through stages, with internal schemas guiding how new information is processed. Bandura added that people actively think about what they observe, form expectations, and evaluate outcomes before acting, showing how thoughts influence choices and behavior. When a question points to thinking and judging, it’s highlighting cognition—the mental processes like perception, memory, reasoning, and evaluation that shape how someone behaves. Other options focus more on meaning and authenticity, on making choices and taking responsibility, or on the counselor’s role rather than on internal processing, so they don’t fit the emphasis on cognitive processing.